Johannesburg — Former Haitian leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide was given a red-carpet welcome Monday as he arrived in South Africa to take up temporary asylum, three months after fleeing a popular revolt in his Caribbean country. President Thabo Mbeki greeted Aristide with a hug after he stepped off the South African presidential jet at Johannesburg International Airport where cabinet ministers and African Union officials were also on hand to welcome him. "We want to welcome President Aristide, his wife and children.

Welcome indeed to the African continent. Welcome to South Africa," said Mbeki at a brief news conference at the airport. Aristide, who was accompanied by his wife Mildred and two daughters, showed his appreciation, even managing to say "Thank you, Africa" in Zulu, before stating that he planned to return to his home country. "Today... we are welcomed in Africa, our mother country, our temporary home until we are back in Haiti," said Aristide who arrived here from Jamaica, his previous stop in exile. "Of course, the Haitian situation must be normalised, peace must be restored and democratic order," said Aristide. South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad said the former priest's stay was open-ended.

"President Aristide, his family and aides will remain in the country until the situation in Haiti has stabilised to the extent that they could return," Pahad told a throng of reporters. Flanked by South African, African Union and Caribbean officials, Aristide looked visibly drawn, staring straight ahead during most of the press conference, with his hands clutched in front of him. About 100 people cheered and waved posters that read "Aristide Welcome Home" Aristide will be housed in a government residence in Pretoria as a guest of the South African state. The main opposition party has branded the decision to welcome Aristide a "mistake." "Ordinary South Africans cannot fathom why they must pay to put up with the former Haitian leader along with his delegation, Mr Aristide should go home."